Last Wednesday during the Democratic National Convention, a member of Republican Tommy Thompson’s Senate campaign team sent out a mass email to right-wing bloggers ridiculing Thompson’s lesbian Democratic opponent, Tammy Baldwin, for celebrating at a Wisconsin Capital Pride Rally in 2010.

Madison-Liberal Tammy Baldwin cited “heartland values” as the topic for her primetime speech to the DNC tomorrow night. Clearly, there’s no one better positioned to talk “heartland values” than Tammy.

The message was followed by a link showing Baldwin dancing at the Pride event, followed by the closer, “A primer of her values—note event, and enjoy.”

Nemoir claimed he sent the email in an unofficial capacity though he used his official campaign email address and signed with his official campaign email signature.

This week, Thompson—an early presidential hopeful—apologized for the gay-baiting email and tweets, explaining he was “very upset” about them: “I thought it was a mistake, I’m sorry, and he’s apologized, I believe. He shouldn’t have done it.”

ClearlyThompson (above) is furious at Nemoir—but not so furious that he fired him. Nemoir has been removed as spokesman but will remain active in the Thompson campaign.

Well, it’s hardly the first time Thompson has been involved in a faux pas involving minorities: In April 2007, Thompson appeared at a Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism conference and discussed his profitable transition from public service to the private sector, saying, “You know that’s sort of part of the Jewish tradition and I do not find anything wrong with that.”

When he realized the knish had hit the fan, Thompson quickly clarified, “I didn’t want to infer or imply anything about Jews and finances and things. What I was referring to is the accomplishments of the Jewish religion—You’ve been outstanding business people and I compliment you for that.”